S2 Chapter 4
Is This Love
At The Pond
Close to their home was a park with a clear pond. It was adorned with lotuses floating on their own carelessly. Occasionally one could see the Koi fishes that swam by. Their shell glimmered brightly in the sunlight. They shone in a smooth, and soft rainbow hue. Yui and her mother, Yuuko would often take a walk around this idyllic scenery. There wasn't much to see; compared to the many other fancy spots like a walk-in rose garden, dahlia labyrinth, pine tree forest and water playground this park provided - this spot in particular was rather isolated, and yet Yuuko always took her here.
«Mother, we are here again...» Little Yui said with a small pout. Her eyes narrowed into small slits, her face showed a hint of boredom as she puffed her cheeks up slightly. This version of Yui had grown compared to before. She no longer was a toddler, but a young child clad in a mellow blue colored dress - a small bunny pouch was slung over her shoulder. Her hair was pulled back with a flowery hairband.
Yui was crouched down onto the ground and lazily staring at her reflection into the pond when she voiced out her complain. She knew that not far away from here, just a little further, there would be a huge water park, that all the children went to visit. She had been there before! And yet for some reason her dear mother preferred this isolated spot with no one here.
«Just give me a minute, sweetheart.» Yuuko voiced back with a patient smile. Yui saw her browse through her back. She then pulled out a small key, clasped her hand, closed her eyes and prayed.
Yui saw her mother and instinctively knew what to do. She jumped up from her spot, with a smile, dashed next to her mother and held her hand.
«Are we gonna pray to the King of Kois again?» Yui asked obviously excited. Yuuko chuckled lightly and smiled down warmly at Yui. Her smile resembled the warm sun that shone down on her. Yui's heart was filled with joy. She loved her mother so much!
«Yes. Let's give the Koi King our heartfelt, most sincerest wish, shall we?» Yuuko encouraged in a cheerful tone and Yui happily joined along.
The mother and daughter closed their eyes. «Greetings, Lord of Kois. I'm back here with my daughter again.» Yuuko began speaking softly. In the middle of the silence a mild gush of wind blew by. Yuuko paused and waited for a moment before she continued.
«Our days here has been very peaceful. It might be all thanks to your guidance. Thank you for watching over Yui and me for all these years. Here's my offer to you.» Yuuko stopped after this and Yui couldn't help but curiously open an eye. She glanced at her mother, who was looking at the pond with a soft, gentle smile.
Yuuko suddenly turned to her daughter. «Yui, let's make a wish.»
«Okay!» Yui replied energetically as she clasped her hands again and closed her eyes with a sincere wish.
'Please make mother healthy again.'
When Yui woke up it was still dark. A soft breeze was coming through the open windows. The curtain swayed lightly with it. Yui sat up slowly and rubbed away the sleep from her eyes.
'A dream?', Yui thought when she groggily realized her surroundings. The dim moonlight was shining through the hazy night. The snowfall had stopped and a soft blanket of white lay on the floor peacefully. Yui didn't recognize the scenery right away, but it didn't really matter to her. Lately, she had been dreaming a lot about her mother. Each dream more vivid than the other.
'Maybe, I shouldn't have visited the grave.' After going there she couldn't help but miss her mother much more. Her heart was gaping like a flesh wound with no bandage on it. The light-hearted and warm memories filled her with reminiscence.
'Come to think of it... that was the last time we went there.' Yui realized the bitter truth.
The Koi Pond was a sacred place for them. Her mother liked the fishes there as it reminded her of her home country, Japan. She remembered the tale her mother spun for her. It was a tale about the Kois and their Koi King and how he ascended into Godhood granting luck, longevity and blessings to those that prayed to him.
Yui chuckled. She had believed it with all her heart, but when she returned to Japan she learned that no such tale existed. Despite that, even now, if people asked her for her favorite tale, she would still answer with the story her mother told her: 'The Tale of the Koi King'.
'Mother was hospitalized the day after that.' Yui remembered forlorn. Her eyes gazed out the window towards the sky.
Yuuko collapsed after this and was taken to the hospital for treatment. It was the last time Yui saw her mother outside of the hospital walls...
In hindsight, Yui was sure that her mother knew about her worsening condition. Maybe that's why she wanted to see her favorite spot one final time; and maybe that's why she took Yui with her.
Yui sighed softly. Her heart hurt from the memories of her mother. She gave up on sleeping any longer, got up and went to get a cup of water.
When she returned from the kitchen, with a jar in hand, Yui noticed the slightly open door of the music room.
She then remembered the guest they were currently housing and decided that maybe checking up on him wouldn't bother anyone.
Yui quietly entered the music room and put the jar onto an empty desk quietly. There on the other end of the hall, bathing beneath the moonlight lay Sae. He was sleeping peacefully in the blue light with a blanket on his lap.
Yui felt her heart beat in her ears. 'How can someone look so ethereal?' The girl wondered and a strange sensation filled her whole body. Her soul was being shaken from the sight of the boy in front of her. A tingling, chilling sensation that seeped into the depths of her bones.
She remembered seeing him like this before. Bathing beneath the moonlight - just like that day four years ago.
Yui put a hand on her heart. Until now Yui wondered, was this love? Is this the same love all her friends felt for their respective loved ones?
Was this the same love her mother had once felt for her father a long, long time ago?
The moment Yui laid her eyes upon Sae the girl realized that she didn't feel lonely anymore. Whatever piece of her was missing and gone was complete with Sae here. With her whole body tingling, Yui felt at ease.
She moved to return back to her room when she heard a stir. She froze and glanced over at the direction Sae was at.
Sae had shifted in his sleep slightly. The blanket that used to cover him fell from that movement. Yui approached him with quiet, soft steps slowly.
'Ah... he's so handsome.' She thought when she saw his face up close. A small blush crept up to her as she very slowly picked up the blanket and crouched down in front of him.
Sae was sleeping peacefully. She could see the sharp features of his face, his long eyelashes and hid smooth healthy skin without a single blemish on it. Sae had really grown up to be much more handsome than she could expect.
«You're so pretty it's unfair you know?» Yui whispered quietly as she kept looking at him. «Not only are you pretty... You are a jerk as well. Determined, selfish, fearless, stubborn. You rarely think of others and won't get swayed, but...» Yui paused and inhaled sharply.
The feelings inside of her chest were bursting like a volcano. She wanted to be by his side forever. She was overjoyed at his return and knowing that he would leave in about 2 weeks again gave her a sense of urgency.
Yui didn't want to let him go.
'Sae, I'm sorry...' Yui apologized as she leaned closer. She closed her eyes and their lips touch. It was a soft, barely noticeable wet sensation, hidden by a featherlight kiss. Yui however felt sparks flew from even that soft sensation. As flustered as she was over her own actions, she truly felt happy.
«Ah... I really do love you, Sae.»
Yui whispered into the night. She waited, hoped but also feared a response. Thankfully, all Sae did was breathe softly and the night passed by peacefully.
Yui finished what she came for and gently draped the blanket back over him again before retreating back to her room.
The doors to the music room closed with a soft thud. The atmosphere shifted slightly onto a lulling deception of calm. In the middle of it two teal-colored eyes stared at the ceiling. They had lost their usual sharpness and were mixed between confusion, joy, surprise and exhilaration.
Sae was troubled. His palm went to his lips as he tried to recall what happened before. 'Yui's lips were soft and taste a bit like strawberries.' Sae noted with a muse and blushed with the heat rising to his ears
'Ah sh-t.' Sae cursed and looked up at the ceiling.
Before coming here Sae had been thinking about them. He knew that he loved her and he hoped that she would love him too. If she wasn't then he would make her fall for him - he just felt that confident in himself, but...
Stunningly, it was Yui that swept the rug off of him and confessed first. Not only did she confessed, they also... kissed.
Sae blushed again and closed his eyes. 'Calm down, you idiot.' Sae thought to himself. He felt the urge to dash to her room and confront her right now. But who in their right mind would enter a girl's room in the middle of the night and not get tempted to do more.
Yui was... attractive. Very much so. She had been pretty since their Middle School years and looked like a delicately, crafted Holy Maiden now. While he was on the better side, he knew many beast-like guys who would be charmed over Yui's pretty and pure looks. Just imagining the leers and lecherous looks she would get was enough to annoy Sae thoroughly and he stopped pondering on it any further.
'Sh-t.' Sae cursed once again. The blood drained from his face. He was utterly troubled with the effect Yui, and only Yui had on him. He was troubled, yet also... madly in love.
The next morning came in the blink of an eye. Sae had given up on sleep after that. He was too busy sorting out his thoughts and his lack of sleep was quite noticeable. After freshening up the teens had gathered around the large dining table for breakfast.
«Good morning, Sae.» Yui greeted him in her usual cheerful way.
Sae on the other hand replied with a simple nod. He looked at her when she entered the room. Today, Yui was clad in a knee-length pink hoodie dress and a black tight to match them. Her long hair was braided into a french braid and put a low hair bun. Yui looked both classic and cozy with her attire.
Sae thought about saying something, but the memories of last night distracted him and he stayed quiet. Instead he settled for staring at her.
«?» Sae's unusual behavior surprised both Yuusuke and Yui. The moment Yui sat down Yuusuke slide over and whispered into her ear.
«Did something happen? I thought things were going well.» He asked quietly. Yui blushed and quickly played it off.
«I- it's nothing.» She whispered back not wanting to share. What happened last night will stay forever a secret of hers. She partly blamed her behavior on the weird dreams she had been having lately. These dreams and thoughts rattled her, who was usually quiet and shy.
Now with Sae's return, there was another ingredient added to the hotpot that was already on the verge of spilling over and now obviously overflowing.
Yui mustered up her courage and glanced at Sae. «Was it alright?» Yui broke the silence with a sweet voice.
Sae calmly looked at her. He was glad to have mastered the pokerface. In his mind he wanted to tease her. He would smirk and ask if she meant the kiss. He wanted to trouble her as much as she troubled him... He wanted to be the only one on her mind.
Still, as much as his desire to monopolize her went Sae cared for her more than anything. 'Let's not rush and take it slow.' Sae admonished himself.
He knew Yui well enough to see that she had her own plate of things to do right now. Of course it was the same for him, but... he wasn't the one that got left behind.
Suddenly, Sae realized the weight of his actions. Without a doubt a rift had formed between them, one that would need time and care to heal. It was a distance that he couldn't bridge now.
Even so, Yui was never afraid of approaching him. The kindness and smile she showed him was always the same. Sae didn't know how she did it, but Yui easily bridged the gap left behind and touched his heart anytime.
'You gravitate towards me like a star.' Sae thought with hidden amusement. It pleased him. What they had pleased him. Yui pleased him. And yet, he felt that soon this wasn't enough for him. He wanted more than just an attraction. Just like the fleeting kiss last night, he didn't want to hide his desire for her even during daytime.
'Am I too forceful?' Torn between acting now and taking it slow, Sae couldn't help but feel his head throb.
Suddenly a strange coldness startled him back to reality.
«Sae, are you okay?» Sae turned to the side and saw Yui holding a glass of water to his cheek.
«We called you multiple times, but you wouldn't respond... You don't look very well either.» She explained with obvious care in her eyes.
Sae felt a tinge of delight and guilt in his chest. Delight for her care, guilt for her worry.
He calmly took the glass from her, put it down and refused to miss out on the opportunity to lean on her.
«I'm tired. The couch's too hard.» Sae mumbled softly against her arm.
His red bangs covered his eyes when he did so. Sae really meant it. He was tired both physically and mentally. He was drained from constantly thinking. Right now however, Sae felt like he could stop all that.
Here he didn't need to think or be one his guard. He didn't need to practice or get into matches. As much as he loved football, being constantly competing was also draining.
'Thoughts and all be damned.' Sae closed his eyes. His competitive world and lifestyle had taught him one thing, and that was to manage his time well. Whenever he could, he would get all the rest in that he could. Sae kept to a strict schedule of sleeping 8h a day - nap time included - after all.
Seeing Sae's evident exhaustion Yuusuke waved a staff member to their table. «Cancel today's schedule and inform his manager of it.»
«Yes, Young Master. When should we reappoint the date?»
«Tomorro- No... let's wait a few more days.» Yuusuke rephrased his reply when he looked at Sae with a smile.
Yuusuke approached them. Yui was still standing and gently brushing through Sae's hair. While he was half snuggled onto her torso comfortably.
Yui saw Yuusuke approach. «Sae completely fell asleep. He must have worked hard.» Her voice spoke tons of the care she felt.
Yuusuke looked at them and smiled. «It's fine now. He will be back to his usual sh-tty self soon.» He replied in a lighthearted voice.
Yui glared at him for his choice of words, but she didn't refute thinking that it's just how the guys showed their affection to each other.
«He isn't that bad.» Yui defended him weakly.
«Oh, he is.» Yuusuke replied with a quiet chuckle. «... But you still love him, don't you, Sis?»
Yuusuke's eyes softened slightly when he asked this. Love truly was a marvelous thing to him. Even after years of being in a relationship he still couldn't phantom the illogicality of it all. Love literally made no sense. There was no predetermined factor you could measure it by. Time? An Irregularity. Space? Interchangeable. Attraction? Arguable, since people changed all the time.
If people asked him whether he believed in love or not he would deny it. The thing that Yuusuke believed in was people. He believed in Sae and Yui. He believed in his friends to find a way to make things work. He believed in Megumi, but even that, Megumi was an exception. She was an exception the mere words 'belief' couldn't contain anymore. And that's how he knew: that he was in love with her.
Whenever Yuusuke looked at Yui and Sae he would think the same. Even apart and separated: They were an exception that surpassed his beliefs, and that's how he knew: This was love.
Yui's reply didn't disappoint him either.
«Yes. I do.» She confirmed without the slightest waver in her eyes or voice. In truth she just looked blissfully happy.
Yuusuke smiled in return and put a hand onto her head. He ruffled it lightly once. «Alright, sis. Leave it to me. I'll have your back.»
Yui chuckled when she heard his reply. She watched him check the time before he rushed to changed into his jacket.
«Work?»
«Yes. While Prince Charming is sleeping like Sleeping Princess over there, I sadly have a company to run.»
Yui chuckled once more.
«Gumi-chan said that you've been slacking off lately and how she's quite disappointed you didn't say hello.»
«Oof.» Yuusuke sighed. «Yeah, right. More like: How dare you drop by when we're this busy!?»
«So you have been slacking off.» Yui pointed out with a slight glare and Yuusuke yelped overly dramatically.
«A successful man needs some comfort. I'm pretty sure Sae understands.» Yuusuke countered as he glanced at the with a teasing smirk. Yui blushed and Yuusuke saw this as a chance to take off.
«See you. Take care. Don't do the naughty~» Yuusuke teased with one final parting wave. He swore he could see Yui fuming in distraught at his last comment and laughed out loudly at that.
'Man, this is something I have to tell Megumi.' With this thought, Yuusuke went for work in a good mood.